High Court adjourns Bhaskar Rao's plea hearing

The High Court on Thursday adjourned the hearing of the petition filed by former Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao.

Rao has approached the court seeking quashing of the additional charge sheet filed by the special investigation team (SIT).

He is accused number 7 in the Lokayukta extortion scandal.

The petitioner’s counsel argued that SIT, given the police powers to investigate the scandal, is illegal and against the provisions of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984.

Justice Rao also contended that the governor granted sanction for prosecution, without the removal of the Lokayukta being discussed in the Legislative Assembly and the Council. This is not in accordance with the law.

Justice Anand Byrareddy adjourned the next hearing to Tuesday on request of the petitioner’s counsel.